Information from the Maine Department of Labor: CareerCenters, Rent Assistance, Health Insurance

Hello,

     You are receiving this email because you have an unemployment insurance claim, and may be interested in the following information:

Unless Congress takes action, the federal unemployment programs Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are scheduled to end on December 26, 2020. Some claimants will be exhausting their benefits before that date as well.

If you are receiving benefits through these programs, or will be exhausting your available benefits, we urge you to connect with your local CareerCenter. CareerCenters can connect you to training opportunities, offer workshops on a variety of topics, and has 1:1 services to help you identify your next steps.

For more information, please visit www.mainecareercenter.gov, call 1-888-457-8883, or email MaineDOL.CareerCenter@maine.gov.

Health Insurance Information from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services:

If you recently lost health insurance through your job, or even if you’ve been uninsured for a while, you may qualify for a free or low-cost health plan through MaineCare or the Health Insurance Marketplace. Some coverage options have deadlines to sign up, so don’t delay – learn more and find out if you qualify by visiting CoverME.gov.

Even if you plan to be back to work soon, it’s worth signing up now to make sure you’re covered for an unexpected illness or accident, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and more.

During these challenging times, make health care coverage one less thing to worry about: visit CoverME.gov or call (800) 965-7476 for free, local help to find the affordable plan that’s right for you.

For more information on services from the Department of Health and Human Services, visit: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services

MaineHousing Rental Assistance Program:

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is for renters who cannot afford to pay their rent due to the COVID 19 pandemic. This program expands upon previous rent relief programs through MaineHousing. You can apply for this expanded program even if you applied and received funds before. This program includes people who live in MaineHousing financed properties and do not have a Section 8 voucher or receive other governmental rental assistance.

Program applications for December rent begin on November 23, 2020. Both previous and new applicants may apply for a maximum of $1,000 per month for October, November, and December rent payments. This program is first come, first served.

Renters apply and the benefit is paid directly to the landlord/property management company. Landlords/property managers agree to postpone the balance of the payment, not forgive it, when they agree to participate. The landlord/property manager also agrees not to evict for non-payment of rent for the month(s) for which the COVID-19 Rent Relief was applied.

More information about the program and how to apply can be found here: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental/rentaldetail/covid-19-rental-relief-program

To find other information about rent relief, fuel assistance, food supplement benefits, and other general assistance, please call 211 or visit 211maine.org.

Thank you,

      The Maine Department of Labor